Happy Tuesday! I feel like I haven’t done an outfit post in forever even though I did one last Thursday! 😉 I normally never have back-to-back beauty posts, so I’m quite impressed I got that together with the timing, but I’m excited to be sharing an outfit. And in honor of talking clothes, this top is a great deal at $42.

I’ll be honest, sometimes I’m wary of silky, more affordable tops. I’m worried the fit might be off or it might snag easily. I purchased this Lush V-Neck Crepe Blouse back during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and the fit blew me away. It’s really slimming and hides the bump for when I don’t want people touching my stomach. Y’all, anyone and everyone is already touching the bump. It’s not that I mind just yet, it’s just always surprising. I’m like, “Oh, you’re going for it, aren’t you?!” haha! And then because my bump isn’t really that noticeable yet, they don’t really know where to touch or where it is, so sometimes they end up touching my rib cage. I have to awkwardly say, “That’s actually my rib, baby is down here!” I’m not even lying and I wish I could say I was…

This top comes in so many colors and is perfect for the office if you pair it with a pencil skirt or pants, but I paired it with cut offs and these peep-toe booties from Sole Society which are perfect for transitional wear. Boots and booties can cut into a huge chunk of your fall wardrobe budget, so I loved that these are under $90. I personally found them to run a little big so I suggest going down a half-size if you are in between sizes or have a narrow heel. 🙂

In terms of jewelry, I kept it simple because I had a bold lip. My girlfriend, Laura, always wears really chic gold bangles that look so luxe! I’m always grabbing her wrist and saying, “Is that Cartier?!” She laughs and tells me how it was $12, but sometimes simple gold bangles can be so pretty! So I had to get this one from Sole Society, that was really affordable as well!

Over the weekend, we took it pretty slow. We’ve had a lot of home projects with our garage and backyard the past few weeks. Well, I should clarify and say Paul and my dad and my dad’s friend have! But this weekend they were finished so Paul and I got to relax and I caved to my pop culture devices and read Andi Dorfman’s book. I read it in an afternoon, so if you’re looking for a way to unwind after a stressful week I say read it!

A few takeaways [because I’m going to be “that girl” today chatting about her book]:

1.People kept telling me it was so poorly written and I shouldn’t read it.

Valid point. This isn’t a lawyer writing a fiction novel. It’s a girl writing a book about a breakup and spilling as many details as she can without getting sued by ABC. I could have done without all of her girly-girl chats about lipstick and designer brands, but I guess she was trying to be relatable? Not because I don’t love chatting about lipstick [hello, www.chroniclesoffrivolity.com] but I just wanted to get to what happened! I have to keep in mind she had a publisher telling her what she had to include. Regardless, I’ve watched The Bachelor since it first came out, so I enjoyed it for what it was! It was trying to appeal to the masses and the masses like easy, afternoon reads so I understand why it was such a quick read.

2. Her side of the story is really believable.

I’m watching Bachelor in Paradise right now and Josh keeps saying this is a work of fiction and none of it is true. But as you read the book, I’m sure many of you, as well as I, can say, “Wait, my ex-boyfriend did the same thing! My ex-boyfriend said that exact phrase!” It’s incredibly believable. Josh should just hang his head low and say, “Yeah, we didn’t bring out the best in one another.” And I think had he done that, her book would have been less believable, but maybe that’s just the PR girl in me! haha. I’m always thinking of what people should have said. But with that being said, if you don’t have a few hours to spare, you aren’t missing any juicy details. He always thought she was flirting with other guys and he flipped out over any inconvenience to him.

3. Since I spent last weekend being “that girl” reading a tell-all book, this weekend I plan on reading The Woman in Cabin 10.

If The Bachelor isn’t your thing [don’t worry it wouldn’t be mine had I not watched it with my mom growing up! haha] here is my next read. I’ve heard it’s an incredibly good thriller that most girls have finished in 3 days, so I’m excited!

4. I need a library card

I ran in Barnes & Noble to pick up Andi’s book, The Woman in Cabin 10 and a baby book on sleep. When I checked out and the lady said, “That will be $78.” I almost thought she had confused me with someone else. $78?! That’s the price of a purse. But coming from a girl that spent her undergrad taking journalism and mass media classes, I hate that no one reads paper books anymore so I handed her my card willingly and tried to ignore the numbers that just spewed from her mouth. So after I finish the books on my nightstand this girl might head over to the Fort Worth Public Library. Because as much as I want every single Barnes & Noble book store to stay in business, I also don’t want to be spending $78 on books that take me 3 hours to read. haha!

I hope you enjoyed today’s ramble on $42 blouses, peep-toe booties and books you’re probably cringing that I read! 😉 What books are on your nightstand, I’d love to know!

20 Comments

Gee were the books like 35 each?? I just bought a hardcover of The Woman in Cabin 10 at Target and it was 18 and I thought that was steep! Definitely check out Liane Moriarty next! I have read Big Little Lies and the Husband Secret and loved them, so I picked up What Alice Forgot!

I am reading In a Dark Dark Wood by the same author as the Woman in Cabin 10 and it is so so good!! Reese Witherspoon is making it into a movie which def made me want to read it!! Also check out Amazon for books!! Usually way cheaper that B&N! Love the post!!

I’m so going to have to get that after! Thank you for the recommendation!! 🙂 I normally always use Amazon Prime but I was in one of those odd moods where I was like, “I want to go to a book store! Book stores are closing!” And now I’m like, “I know why you are closing.. #78dollarslater” bahahah!

Legitimately so happy to hear your breakdown of Andi’s book! As a fellow “BIP” watcher I’ve been so curious about it as it keeps getting brought up! Just seeing Josh’s temper flare ups on the show makes me believe she’s telling the truth, although I hope for Amanda’s (and her kids!) sake he’s gotten it under control.

Library cards are a life saver! If you ever get a Kindle, most libraries now have online books too so you can add yourself to waiting lists for the most popular stuff & you’ll save some time running back and forth checking out and returning books.

I recommend using a kindle. I got one for Christmas a couple of years ago because my hubby knew how much I blew through books and thought I would appreciate one. Let me tell you, I didn’t even open the box for a solid year because I love having something tangible in my hands and pages to turn. I also love having bookshelves full of books because I feel like you don’t see that anymore and love the idea of knowledge and ideas being up on my walls. However, as someone who hates clutter I started realizing I wasn’t doing myself any favors with the books piling up. I do love the library but I also like to read at my own pace and don’t like having to run to the library across town. So I started using my kindle and I am obsessed. Plus it’s great for traveling. No extra bulk in my bag and I can have all my books in one neat, compressed space:)

I am too a lover of book and prefer to hold an actual book-I don’t own a kindle and won’t ever. Soooo how do I afford the 3 totes worth of books I have??? LOL A few years ago I came across paperbackswap.com. You can trade books with other people once you are finished with them. That has saved me soo much money over the years. I would definitely check it out if you are a reader like me. 🙂 And I added that book you just read to my wish list on that site!http://jellarie.blogspot.com/

Coming from a fellow PR girl and former journalism student, I am right there with you cringing while I pay obscene amounts of money for books that I breeze through. A part of me wants to support the bookstore, while another just wants to build my library (NERD ALERT). Needless to say, the library has just about saved my credit card. Bless you public libraries. Glad to hear you, Paul, and little bump had a relaxing weekend.

Yes to library cards!! I nannied in college, and each summer I would PLOW through books from the library. Such a great resource! Plus, I think it is more of a relaxing break than just about anything else to walk into that quiet, calm library and browse for some good reads!

Love the color of the top. Works great with the booties too. I’m due in December and am past the stage of loose tunics but they were a God send in my first and early second trimesters. Best to you and congratulations! Looking forward to your maternity style progression.

You need to see if your local library is on the Kindle network! I wrote about it on my blog here but basically you can “borrow” books on your Kindle from the library for free! It’s saved me a ton of money.